First Gun - Questions!

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Katydid

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Hello!! Please allow me to introduce myself; my name is Kate and I am an Ohio native. I'll be taking my first full time job in June, (truly living on my own for the first time, too!), and think it's about time for me to own a handgun. This weapon would be for home protection.

I am thinking, for my first gun purchase, about a Sig P220 Equinox. I shot one at the range today and absolutely fell in love. I had my heart set on a Colt .45, but the .40 fit my hand much better (and didn't knock me backwards!). It was the most comfortable large caliber weapon I shot today. Any thoughts on the Sig P220? What else should I be looking at - is there something better for home defense? Dose anyone own one?

Another problem - I'm left handed. I didn't even think to ask the shop if there was a left handed model. Can a lefty shoot a right handed weapon, or will I always be hindered because the safety and other levers are on the wrong side?

Oh yes, and I have enrolled in a safety class. Starts in two weeks!

Thank you so much for reading! Look forward to "meeting" ya all!

Cheers
Kate
 
There are no left-handed 220s but not to worry. I've owned two and am left-handed. You quickly get used to the controls.

It's a fantastic SD weapon. You'll love it.
 
The SIG P220 is a fantastic pistol. I own one myself. As for being left-handed, there are some pistols out there with ambidextrous levers, or the ability to swap sides. I think the H&K USP is one such pistol, so you might want to check those out. It sounds like you've already been infected with the SIG virus though!
 
You might want to look at the CZ-82. It fires a much less powerful round, the 9x18 Makarov, However, the controls are fully ambidextrous, so your being a lefty is no problem. It also shoots double action, or cocked and locked. It is a double stack magazine with 12+1 capacity. It is amazingly accurate and easy to shoot. It is a natural pointer. It also sells for between $159 and $209, depending where you buy it. I recently got one from AIM and it was in perfect condition.
Just a thought. The same gun can be bought new for more money as the CZ-83 in .380 caliber.
 
The Browning Hi Power is my favorite .40. The newer ones ('94+) come with an ambidextrous safety and ambidextrous slide stops are available. Fits smaller hands very well, but it's single action only.
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Welcome, to the high road. These guys know more about handguns then I. So, Good luck on your choice etc. Pissst... Get the Sig:D
 
The Sig is a VERY nice pistol, and I cant say anything negative about it other than the pri$e.

One of the things I would suggest is to take a look/try a few other models out there before you buy. There are other nice pistols like the Springfield XD, Smith & Wesson M&P, and yes even Glock, that are just as reliable platforms for almost 1/2 the price.

If you are planning on getting your CCW so you can carry in your purse. That would also be a factor when choosing. A large range gun may not fit well in all of your purses, and a gun left at home cant help you. So a smaller compact or sub-compact my be worth thinking about too.

The only other thing I can think of is the caliber. I thought the P220 Equinox was a .45??? However, If you can shoot a 40S&W without any problems... great. My wife does not like the 40S&W at all, as she thinks its too snappy/hard compared to the 9mm or even the .45 rounds. Her favorite is my XD-9, but also likes my 45 Colt 1911 government.
 
Welcome aborad, Kate.

The Equinox are good looking guns. On that note, are you sure it was a P220? Because the 220 is .45 ACP.

One other thing to consider when buying a defensive handgun: Firing at the range and using a handgun defensively are two very diffrent things. Make sure you can easily fire the weapon one-handed. I tell you this because, while my girl can shoot my little S&W 4516 or Witness Compact 10mm quite well using a modified Weaver or other range-type stance, she cannot control them one-handed; she limp wrists and they jam. Kind of important to be able to fire a defensive gun in any position, not just an ideal one.


Another problem - I'm left handed. I didn't even think to ask the shop if there was a left handed model. Can a lefty shoot a right handed weapon, or will I always be hindered because the safety and other levers are on the wrong side?
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Most Southpaws I know have learned to manipulate mag and slide releases with index and middle finger. However, some slide releases are too stiff and require the use of the off hand (of course, there's always slingshotting).

There are some truly ambidextrous guns, like the S&W M&P, with slide release on both sides and a reversible mag release button.
 
Hello Kate and welcome to THR. If you have any questions feel free to come here and ask. We all were where you are now and one day you may be where we are, helping another new shooter. The Sig P220 is a fine handgun. Some police departments use them. If you like the 40 over the 45 you may want to checkout the Sig P226 it is basically the same gun scaled down for the 40.
 
Welcome Kate! I'd recommend first taking the safety class and THEN make your decision after it. You'll be more hands on as you are already.

Let us know what you get! And take some pictures. :)
 
YAY! Another P220 lover...and first time shooter! I did the same thing.

The P220 is made for left-handed shooters. Use your index finger to release the magazine and work the decocking lever.

If you dry fire, please ALWAYS use SNAP-CAPs. The new P220s have an extra pin in them. If the firing pin does not strike something, it goes a bit too far forward and hits the firing pin retaining pin. Do this enough and it will break. This happened on my P220 Carry (SIG took care of it).

Older P220s should also use snap caps, but for a different reason. There is a very small spring in the base of the hammer (you can see the end of it). Eventually, it will break. It's a $2 part that takes the gun down. This spring was redesigned in new models.

Never pull the trigger with the slide off.

Enjoy your Equinox. It's a great gun and you'll find it reliable and accurate. Take care of it; keep the rails lubed (use a light coating of lithium grease) and clean it after every range trip.

P220LS.jpg

P220magVM2.jpg

The only modification that I recommend is to switch out the grips for something more "grippy".

ls-front.jpg
Hogue modified grips

The grips on the first P220 are excellent. Unfortunately, SIG changed the grips to some sort of "imprinted" pattern that lack purchase. I believe they recently changed them again. Hogue takes the imprinted grips and recheckers them (google Hogue recheckered P220 grips). They are worth the $45.
 
Get what you shoot best, not necessarily what you think might is best or what the gunshop commando behind the counter says he thinks is best.
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+1 on that.



Good luck.
 
Thanks for the replies! You are all giving me a lot of things to think about...!!

Never even thought about shooting the Sig one handed - I'm not too sure that I could with any degree of accuracy! I've planned at least one more trip to the range to do some test firing. I'll see how well I am able to handle the recoil one handed and go from there. Reckon with practice I'll get a little stronger, but I won't anticipate a dramatic change.

As for C&C, I'd like to at some point. I believe that the 40 is a little big for me to carry and conceal on me. I am also contemplating buying a 9mm to C&C, but not for at least 12 weeks; I'm changing states in June. I shot a short barreled 45 and it nearly knocked me over. (Thanks for pointing me to the CZ-82/83. I haven't read one negative comment about it!)

I had thought about a nice custom purse, but if someone were to run up behind me and snatch my handbag, I would be in a world of trouble. Is this an unreasonable concern? Would I be better to hip holster it? Is there another option?

Oh yes! And as a few of you noticed, it's the Sig P226 I'm looking at, not the P220!! Thanks!

Thank you all again for the replies!

Cheers
Kate
 
If you are carrying in your purse... You will want to wear the strap on the opposite side than the bag is on (cross-body). That way it cant be easily grabbed off one shoulder and ran away with.

EDIT:
http://ladiesprotection.com/

Check out the video...

elegant-model.jpg
 
Welcome aboard.

As noted above, using the P226 (like the P220) left handed is not too big of an issue issue except maybe the slide stop (though pulling back the slide with the weak hand after reloading works well to overcome this). Almost all .40 SWs built today are the same size as 9 mms.
 
I had thought about a nice custom purse, but if someone were to run up behind me and snatch my handbag, I would be in a world of trouble. Is this an unreasonable concern? Would I be better to hip holster it? Is there another option?
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I'd strongly advise against purse or bag carrying for your pistol. Even if it's around your shoulder, like the lady in the picture above.

If someone still tries to snatch your bag, they're going to have the end with the gun, and you're going to WANT your gun at that moment... but your bag will be flying around, and who knows, he might shove you to the ground while dragging you.

You want the gun on you at all times!

I'd suggest IWB for carrying concealed.

If you can, seriously look into a backup gun, as well. A small gun, like a "mouse gun" as they call 'em. Sig's are reliable, but no gun is perfect! Always best to have backup, even if it's a small .22 Magnum or .380 mouse gun!

Like a .380 Guardian from NAA, or something. Here's their website: http://www.naaminis.com/index02.html

These can fit in your pocket or ankle, with a nice holster of course. :)
 
Umm... What about revolvers. A good ambidexterous gun with no safety to have to hassle with in those snape moments when a second or two can mean the difference between life or death. The new Rossis are quite excellent (my finacee has the snubby .38) and don't usually go for more than $340 and you can get them cheaper on gunbroker.com for new in the box, and a bit more cheaper for used. Remember to differentiate between the Interarms productions (I own a 3 ".44spcl and snubby .357magnum) and Braztechs(visit the website for more info). Also Taurus makes the 85 Ultra-Lite and a buddy of mine owns one and I'll say that if I didn't have an eye for the Taurus 651 as my next summer pickup I'd hold a more affectionate eye for it.

If you are looking for ambidexterous semis- don't forget Ruger's P series, I've got a .45 ACP P90 and it is an excellent shooter (it's nothing compared to my uncle's Parahawg, but still quite excellent and I carriy it CCW in a IWB holster). The P89 I've had several chances to shoot and I can't tell the difference between my Browning High Power and the P89. Remember these guns are plentiful at not incredibly expensive prices, are ambidexterious, and while they are not aesthetically pleasing they are rugged and dependable.

Check out gunbroker.com and budsgunshop.com for competitively low prices. For the cost of a Sig 226 you could stand to pick up a used but in very good condition Ruger P89 and a new in the box Rossi snub .38 or .357 magnum (lots of women shoot .357 magnum competitively and you won't grow out of the caliber like you stand to with the .38). Good luck.
 
Well, the only one that can pick out the right gun for you is you. Its a very personal decision based on things like the size of your hands, the features you want, your strength, and just plain taste.

Find a shop willing to allow you to take your time. Don't let the salesperson rush you, or push you. Take that time to handle what's in stock and ask lots of questions.

Don't be afraid of asking "stupid" questions. And don't be afraid of making a mistake. Hardly anyone winds up getting it "right" the first time. I'd venture nearly everyone here has a "go to" handgun that is not the first one they bought. Tastes change. We find out someone has XYZ brand, try it, and discover we like it better. Remember you can always trade it in without having to file for a divorce. Any money you might lose on a trade isn't wasted. It was invested in your education and growth.


Take the time to handle everything. Generally accepted advice for evaluating your selection often follows somewhere along these basic steps:

Gun fit - how does it fit your hand?
Are you comfortable with the features and controls that make it operate?
Do you have the strength to hold it and pull the trigger without struggle?
Lastly - caliber. Get the largest caliber that you can comfortably control, and these days afford to shoot enough to become proficient.

If your first gun is a .22 rimfire, that's OK. You're allowed to have more than one. Avoid the tendancy to compromise on one single handgun to serve many unrelated purposes. Sooner or later we come to realize the compromise doesn't do any of the many things we wanted it for really well. Welcome to THR and good luck. Keep us posted.


And by the way . . . I've noticed a trend - women seem to love the Browning Hi-Power. Make sure you handle one and see how you like it.
 
P220 is 45cal only, P226 and P229 are in 40cal

Quote: I am thinking, for my first gun purchase, about a Sig P220 Equinox. I shot one at the range today and absolutely fell in love. I had my heart set on a Colt .45, but the .40 fit my hand much better (and didn't knock me backwards!). It was the most comfortable large caliber weapon I shot today. Any thoughts on the Sig P220? What else should I be looking at - is there something better for home defense? Dose anyone own one?
----------------
...

Kate, welcome to the THR..

As mentioned you most likely handled a Sig P226 40cal, almost identical to the P220 in size and looks.

Take a look here at both the Sig P226 40cal and the Sig P229 40cal Carry model, which is smaller only in length..


P226 40cal:

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=7&productid=80


P229 40cal:

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=8&productid=87


Both are excellant guns, but IMO, you'd find the P229 40 Carry a bit more ccw and just as tame as the bigger, full size, P226 40.

Enjoy.



Ls
 
I'd strongly advise against purse or bag carrying for your pistol. Even if it's around your shoulder, like the lady in the picture above.

If someone still tries to snatch your bag, they're going to have the end with the gun, and you're going to WANT your gun at that moment... but your bag will be flying around, and who knows, he might shove you to the ground while dragging you.

You want the gun on you at all times!

I'd suggest IWB for carrying concealed.
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I have to respectfully disagree with almost everything you just said. Let me explain why...

IWB simply does not work for most women’s attire. I know it would not work for 99.5% of my wife’s clothes. Dresses don't even have a waste band to begin with. Women’s dress slacks and skirts are usually made of lightweight and “form fitting” material. So much so that they have to worry about panty lines showing, much less a bulky gun line showing. Their jeans are also usually very "form fitting" and not loose/baggy like men’s. Fact is, unless they usually wear loose fitting khakis and jeans like men, it’s almost impossible to hide a pistol in their waistband. My wife does have a pair of baggy yard work jeans, but she never wears them anywhere else.

As far as getting dragged by their purse...

Most purse-snatchers are looking for a woman who is distracted, not paying attention, and whose purse is just dangling off one shoulder. They want to snatch the purse in one fast movement while running. They don't want to get hung up and fight for it even for a few seconds, as that delay may get them caught by another guy close by.

Most rapists are going to grab a woman by the arm, neck, or waist. They are not likely to grab by an article of clothing that can break letting the woman time to escape.

Fact is, there is no best way to carry for everyone. You can only carry the best way you can (what your dress style will allow), and always be aware of your surroundings
 
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